just got my first gs. it had been sitting for about a year when i picked it up. it would start off carb cleaner but wouldn't stay running. tore down the carbs and cleaned em, pilots, mains, and float valve/ bowl in the bottom and jet needle and diaphragm area up top. at this time didn't make any adjustments.

it fired right up and would idle up with the choke and warm up but run rough. any throttle input would kill it instantly. so i tore it down again. checked the float height and it was low so raised it up to a hair over 15mm. then it started and idled pretty well. would rev up a little but still bog at a little more then 1/4 throttle. so checked the pilot air screws and one was backed out like 4 turns and the other was all the way in. reset those to the factory two turns out

whew.... and all this longwinded story was to ask why am i still running rich and bogging at more then 1/2 throttle or on a fast open? I can roll it up to about half and any more will bog it or if i try and snap it open it will bog. it still smells rich and the plugs are black. i just don't know what to look at next..... please help a lowly newb out!

oh ya i forgot to mention, the battery was shot and that got replaced which helped smooth out the rough running. so weak spark??  

What exhaust are you running?  What airbox/filter?  What jet sizes?

all stock, i currently dont have the airbox in just because i've been pulling the carbs every other day. i have a k&n lunchbox in the mail

Bump, I'm praying to the carb gods here 

Sounds like you've checked your bases.  122.5 mains?  1 washer?  New plugs? 

finally figured it out! this whole time i've been playing with the float adjustment, i was doing it wrong. didn't think that "tang resting on the float needle" meant without pushing the little button on top of the needle  NOOB!!!!

on the flip side of things, i know for a fact that my carbs are spotless inside and out and i'm confident i could take my bike from assembled to carbs out in about 3 minutes flat

runs and idles beautifully! revs to 10k with plenty of power too!